Small Business Saturday

Today is Small Business Saturday, an American shopping holiday held the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. The goal of Small Business Saturday is to bring together communities in support of their favorite small businesses and encouraging spending holiday shopping at local small businesses. This is a great time to promote Support While You Shop, Partner Promotions, and local Business Sponsors.

Black Friday

Today is Black Friday, the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving when retailers begin the holiday shopping season. ...  It is a great time to promote Support While You Shop, Partner Promotions, and local Business Sponsors.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank You. Merci. Gracias. Arigato. Mahalo.

The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to be grateful to the people who further our life-saving mission. Thank you for all you do to support the American Cancer Society and supporting your community in the fight against cancer. This Thanksgiving season, please consider all the ways you can say “Thank you” to your volunteers and participants! 

The Great American Smokeout

Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one. Let the Great American Smokeout event on November 21 be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of people who smoke across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk. Plus, the American Cancer Society can help you access the resources and support you need to quit. Learn more at cancer.org.

Universal Children’s Day

On Universal Children's Day and every day... Whether your child has just been diagnosed with cancer, is going through treatment, or is trying to stay well after treatment, we can help you find the answers you need at cancer.org.

International Men's Day

International Men’s Day is a day to celebrate and support the men in your life. Support the men in your life by learning about the cancers that commonly affect men, and about what you can do to help protect yourself and your loved ones at cancer.org.

New Quick & Healthy cookbook - just in time for the holidays!

Quick & Healthy: 50 Simple, Delicious Recipes for Every Day is the newest cookbook from ACS. It offers 50 simple, easy-to-prepare recipes that make it easy to cook a variety of healthy dishes for everyone to enjoy at home.  

"There is no question, what we eat has a tremendous impact on our health, including reducing the risk of many different types of cancer," said Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, our managing director of nutrition and physical activity. "Eating well is a key component of living an overall healthy lifestyle, and there are simple steps we can take each and every day to eat well and improve our health."

Studies have shown that meals cooked at home tend to be healthier than those eaten out. Quick & Healthy is designed to help support people in their quest to eat well and improve their health by making more home-cooked meals. 

"These recipes taste great, can be pulled together relatively quickly, and can make it easier to get a healthy meal on the table as we juggle all of our daily priorities," Colleen said. 

The recipes fall into 3 categories: poultry, seafood, and vegetarian – each illustrated by a full-color photo. For example, vegetarian entree Spinach-Ricotta Stuffed Portobello Caps uses 7 ingredients, minimal preparation, and has just 190 calories per serving.

The recipes in this new cookbook are consistent with our nutrition guidelines, which recommend eating more vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and limit red and processed meats. The book is priced at $16.95 and is available in print and eBook formats through the American Cancer Society bookstore, as well as on Amazon (don't forget to use Amazon Smile).

*Re-posted from MySocietySource.

King of the Wing

KING of the WING is a 10-minute chicken wing eating fundraising competition supporting the American Cancer Society and other cancer fighting efforts around the world. The motto is “it’s all about the bucks, not the cluck!,” which emphasizes the goal of the event as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. KING of the WING is happening today at 7:30pm-7:40pm (local time). Follow KING of the WING and The Legend Of The Lone Clucker to learn more.

"Who is a Caregiver?"

Join Jason Masony from the Survivor and Caregiver Strategy Team as he goes LIVE on 

RFL Event Leadership Teams Support Community on Wednesday, November 13 at 9pm ET | 8pm CT | 7pm MT | 6pm PT to find out more!

Hockey Fights Cancer

The National Hockey League (NHL), the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), and ACS will team up for the third year to support cancer patients and their families through Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC). 

Founded in 1998, Hockey Fights Cancer has raised more than $25 million for research institutions, hospitals, charities, and support services. This year funds will go to patient services, including Hope Lodge, Road To Recovery, and other support services to inspire hope and courage in those living with, going through, and moving past cancer. Proceeds support the work of the ACS, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Movember Foundation. 

To donate and learn more, go to cancer.org/hockey. Also, watch this video.

November is Hockey Fights Cancer month across the NHL

All 31 NHL clubs and participating American Hockey League (AHL) clubs will raise money to support ACS through a variety of activations. The games will feature lavender dasher boards (lavender representing all cancers), lavender apparel on coaches and broadcasters, and players will wear special jerseys and use lavender stick tape. 

The league will host a Hockey Fights Cancer night on November 16, as well as specific team games that will benefit ACS. These include the Boston Bruins game held on October 29, the Detroit Redwings game on November 8, and the Philadelphia Flyers game on November 25.

This season offers even more ways to engage hockey fans, players, and communities in the fight against cancer:

• Hockey Fights Cancer Assist – launched in 2018; this program was developed to engage youth and local leagues across the country in the fight against cancer. Seventy-seven teams participated in 2018, this year the program has grown substantially, with more than 125 teams participating already.

• 2019 Ambassador Eddie Olczyk (a.k.a. Eddie O) -  NHL player and cancer survivor, has teamed up with Hockey Fights Cancer this year to share his story and lend his voice to the cause. He will host a signing for his book “Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life” on November 5 at the NHL Store in NYC, with book proceeds going to HFC. Eddie O will also do a skating session with the first HFC Assist team to reach a $10,000 fundraising goal on Crowdrise. 

• The Stanley Cup Hope Lodge Tour will be visiting the Boston Hope Lodge on November 20, the Hope Lodge in New York City on November 21, and the Hope Lodge in St. Louis on November 23.  Player alumni and NHL staff will be in attendance to increase awareness about the campaign. 

• Sweepstakes for NHL Awards in Vegas – details are being finalized for the NHL sweepstakes tied to the NHL Awards begin held in Las Vegas in June 2020, which honor the best players in several categories. 

• Hockey Fights Cancer merchandise sales through the NHL Shop will also support HFC, with a percentage of the proceeds coming to ACS. 

Fans can get involved by using the hashtag #HockeyFightsCancer or visiting the official website to download an “I Fight For” card and see the full calendar of events.

Veteran's Day

Extended Stay America launches 'Stay Stories'

As Relay For Life volunteers we hear a lot about Hope Lodges and how they offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city. However, in the San Francisco Bay Area our closest Hope Lodge is in Phoenix, AZ. But the American Cancer Society has partnered with Extended Stay America to offer the "Key of Hope" program us here to provide those in our area the accommodations they need.

Extended Stay America has started a video campaign called "Stay Stories," the first video focuses on lung cancer patient Candace Bennink from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who discusses her stay at an Extended Stay America in Houston, Texas, through the Hotel Keys of Hope program.  Candace was diagnosed two years ago with a very rare lung cancer and was given eight months to live. She follows a strict diet and is grateful for the Extended Stay America kitchen and other amenities which allowed her to maintain her dietary requirements. While she is still undergoing targeted therapy, we are happy to report she is doing well.

The American Cancer Society and Extended Stay America developed the Hotel Keys of Hope program six-years ago to provide free or reduced-price lodging to give patients and their caregivers a home-away-from-home close to their nearest treatment facility. Through this program, patients in need are able to receive amenities that reduce the costs and burdens associated with living away from your home for an extended period of time, including fully equipped kitchens, free in-room Wi-Fi, on-site laundry facilities, and pet-friendly room options.

The “Stay Stories” series will share firsthand stories from the patients who are on the frontlines of the fight against cancer, and audiences across the nation will have an opportunity to hear stories of resilience as these patients reveal their personal journeys. To date, Extended Stay America has donated more than 130,000 hotel nights to cancer patients and their families, and have helped over 17,000 cancer patients and their families.

Save the Date: February 8th

Save  the date! The is February 8, 2020. Each Relay's Event Leadership Team is welcome to have four members attend the event (generally the Core four attend: Event Lead, Bring the People Lead, Fund the Mission Lead, and Build the Fun Lead). More information coming soon from your Event Mentor and Staff Partner. 

Order your ACS holiday cards by Dec. 1 and save 20%

20% off and free shipping on holiday cards until Dec. 1

Volunteers and their families can save 20% on orders and receive free standard shipping until Dec. 1 by using offer code ACSCARDS19 at checkout.

Make the season brighter and make a difference with holiday cards from the American Cancer Society with 100% of the net proceeds supporting our lifesaving mission.

Our greeting card collection includes everything from the whimsical to the elegant, with several options to personalize. We have Christmas (including photo cards), Hanukkah, New Year, and all-occasion cards. 

We also offer exclusive ACS designs that include a beautiful selection of cancer ribbon awareness cards. 

About this offer

• Use offer code ACSCARDS19 at checkout.
• The offer expires Sunday, December 1, 2019.
• All cards take 7 to 10 business days to deliver, depending on where they are being shipped. 

Visit ACSGreetings.org to view our entire greeting card collection. Every good wish sent helps save lives from cancer.

*Re-posted from MySocietySource.

VIP Volunteer Reception and Medical Update

Tonight was the American Cancer Society Silicon Valley Central Coast VIP Volunteer Reception and Medical Update. Volunteers were honored and thanked by the American Cancer Society for all their hard work and local scientist presented their cancer fighting research reminding us of the positive impact volunteers are making around the world.

Dr. Edgar Engleman (MD, PhD), Dr. Christina Curtis (PhD, MSc), Chair Dr. Arthur Douville (MD), Dr. Billy W. Loo Jr. (MD, PhD), and Honorary Chair Dr. George A. Fisher Jr. (MD, PhD) (left to right)

Dr. Curtis is Assistant Professor of Medicine (Oncology) and Genetics at Stanford University and Co-director of the Molecular Tumor Board at the Stanford Cancer Institute. Her research uses computational modeling to develop a systems level, multi-scale view of cancer that spans single cells to patient populations. She and her tea have developed "big data" computer technologies to discover personalized approaches to the treatment of cancer. Her research has redefined the molecular map of breast cancer, revealing new approaches using data that defines patient subgroups responding to particular, individualized treatments. 

See live video of presentation.

Dr. Engleman is Professor of Pathology and of Medicine at Sanford, and a member of the Stanford Cancer Center. The immune system impacts a wide range of processes in most tissues and organs. By applying new and more precise analytical tools for assessing this system in mice and humans, Dr. Engleman and his team have been successful at identifying disease-promoting immune abnormalities. By targeting the cells responsible for or affected by these abnormalities, his team has succeeded in reversing the abnormalities and ameliorating the diseases they cause, including the basis for the Sipuleucel-T vaccine for treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. See live video of presentation.

Dr. Loo is a Professor of Radiation Oncology, a member of Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS) in the Department of Radiology, and a member of the Stanford Cancer Institute, in the School of Medicine. Since conceiving of a fundamentally new approach to delivering ultra-rapid, ultra-precise radiation therapy, pluridirectional high-energy agile scanning radiotherapy (PHASER), Dr. Loo's major laboratory research focus has been to co-lead a collaborative effort between the Stanford Cancer Institute and Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) to develop PHASER into a transformative yet clinically practical technology utilizing the rapid, high intensity FLASH radiotherapy technology. See live video of presentation.

ACS 2018 Annual Report now available

​Please continue to use the Vital Statistics resource for the latest data available

The American Cancer Society’s 2018 Annual Report is now available electronically on cancer.org, and will be available soon on Brand Toolkit and for ordering via print on demand through the RR Donnelley catalog in ACS Marketplace. Stay tuned to our Society news channels to learn when!

The Annual Report shows how we are attacking cancer from every angle, showcases the diverse communities we serve and partner with to achieve our mission, and details revenue and spending in 2018. The report also demonstrates our comprehensive and important program of work. The full 2018 Financial Statements are also available on cancer.org. 

Through this report, we recognize the countless contributions of communities, our volunteers, and partners who help us lead the fight against cancer. As a reminder, this is only a snapshot of all the amazing work that our volunteers and staff are accomplishing throughout the organization. 

It is an important communication tool to tell the ACS story and engage new audiences, as well as inform our longtime supporters. 

Due to the timing of the 2018 Annual Report, please continue to use the American Cancer Society Vital Statistics resource to ensure you are using the latest data available.

*Re-posted from MySocietySource.

ACS and Facebook team up to encourage preventive care

​Facebook launches new Preventive Health tool to provide people with health screening guidance

The American Cancer Society is partnering with social media giant Facebook to provide breast, cervical, lung, and colorectal screening content for its new Preventive Health tool.  

The tool offers consumers evidence-based health information to help them make informed health care decisions. Also providing Facebook with health content are the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Starting October 28, the tool will begin rolling out to people, but anyone can start using it by searching for Preventive Health in the Facebook mobile app. Facebook views this tool as a resource to help people be their own health advocate, starting with cancer and heart disease, two leading causes of death, as well as the flu, a seasonal illness that affects millions each year.

“One of the main reasons people don’t get screened for cancer is that they don’t realize their own risk,” said Rich Wender, MD, our chief cancer control officer. “We hope this program will help by building awareness about important recommendations from expert organizations.” As a content provider partner, both Rich and Bob Smith, PhD, our vice president for cancer screening, worked closely with Facebook to ensure accurate information, based on ACS guidelines.

Read the CNN story about the tool. Rich is quoted in it.

How It Works

In the U.S., tests (for people at average health risk) are recommended based on a person’s age and sex. This new tool allows people to mark when tests are completed, set reminders to schedule future tests, and encourage loved ones to use Preventive Health to take preventive health actions, too. People can also learn more about each checkup and find Federally Qualified Health Centers near them. Most recommended tests, such as blood pressure tests and breast cancer screenings, are at low- or no-cost with insurance coverage. 

When designing Preventive Health, Facebook considered safety and privacy issues, taking extra steps to protect privacy and collect a limited amount of information necessary to make the tool work. Preventive Health allows people to set reminders for future checkups and mark them as done, but it doesn’t provide Facebook, or the health organizations providing content, access to actual test results. 

With the launch of Preventive Health, Facebook will introduce the tool to people (eligible for the recommended checkups based on age) in their News Feeds, encouraging them to explore the tool. The tool can also be accessed by going directly to the Facebook landing page.

*Re-posted from MySocietySource.

Knots of Love

Knots of Love is a network of passionate and caring volunteers who tirelessly hand-knit and crochet caps for those struggling with treatment-induced hair loss. Knots of Love caps server as a constant reminder to the patient and their loved ones that they are not alone.  All Knots of Love handmade creations are distributed free of charge to hospitals and treatment centers throughout the country -- and most importantly at no cost to the patient receiving the caps.

If you would like Knots of Love to distribute caps at your Relay For Life please contact them at info@knotsoflove.org.

Palliative care bill unanimously approved by House

ACS CAN urges Senate  to do the same

On October 28th, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA). The bipartisan bill would increase federal research funding for palliative care, including pain and symptom management, and would establish palliative care education and training programs for doctors, nurses and other health professionals. It would also create a national public education and awareness campaign to educate patients and providers about the availability and benefits of palliative care.

The PCHETA legislation is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 294 House lawmakers and was voted out of the House with unanimous support. The bill’s passage in the House of Representatives clears the way for Senate consideration.

A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, follows:

“We commend House lawmakers for working in a bipartisan way to pass PCHETA and give cancer patients, survivors, and others living with serious illnesses and chronic conditions hope for a future with greater access to palliative care services. With 294 bipartisan cosponsors and unanimous approval by the House, it’s clear elected officials recognize the critical role palliative care plays in improving the coordination of care and quality of life for their constituents living with serious illnesses, like cancer.

"There is a serious need for investment in policies that will enhance and increase access to palliative care services. The PCHETA legislation seeks to expand patient awareness of, and access to, palliative care while improving care coordination to provide an extra layer of support for patients and families from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship. Additionally, the PCHETA legislation will greatly aid in developing more robust pain and symptom management training programs, while also bolstering federal pain research efforts at the National Institutes of Health.

“ACS CAN and the Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC) have long advocated for this critical bill. We urge the Senate to move quickly to pass this important legislation in a bipartisan manner.”

*Re-posted from MySocietySource.